School employee has meningitis

County health officials said an employee at Porter Elementary School in San Diego has been diagnosed with meningitis and officials are asking parents to be on alert for any symptoms in their children that could be caused by the meningococcal bacteria.

The reported infection of a staff member at the Lincoln Park campus comes after school officials countywide were put on alert following a deadly outbreak of the disease in Tijuana.

Health officials say Tijuana has been hit with 18 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease, including six deaths, since Jan. 4.

Last week, a 36-year-old man died in San Diego County from the disease and a 1-year-old recovered after being hospitalized in February.

The last time the infected school employee was at the campus was last Friday. Health officials have notified people who had been in close contact with the individual that they should receive antibiotics to prevent any possible infection. The employee is being treated at a local hospital, health officials said.

“The risk to individuals who are not in direct contact with the infected individual is minimal,” county Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten said in a statement.

This is the third case of meningococcal disease reported the county in 2013. Last year there were eight cases.

Symptoms can include fever, intense headache, lethargy, stiff neck and a rash that does not blanch under pressure. Anyone with symptoms is urged to seek medical care.

The bacteria can be spread by sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils and other close contact. The time between exposure to the disease and the onset of symptoms typically is between two to 10 days.